Step up to Summertime Swing at Stamford's Mill River Park

Published 4:44 pm, Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Summertime Swing returns for its second and final installment at Mill River Park in Stamford, Conn., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. The free event, which features dance lessons and demonstrations, a live band and a chance to dance, begins at 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.millriverpark.com. less

Summertime Swing returns for its second and final installment at Mill River Park in Stamford, Conn., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. The free event, which features dance lessons and demonstrations, a live band and ... more

Whether you have two left feet or are as smooth as a championship dancer, a new event this year in Stamford aims to get people out and dancing under a summer sky.

"What we try to do at Mill River Park is to develop programs that are unique and different," said Arthur Selkowitz, a Stamford resident who is chairman of the Mill River Collaborative, a nonprofit partnership which oversees the park and greenway.

Such was the thinking behind Summertime Swing, the second installment of which is planned for Saturday, Aug. 23. Visitors are invited to come to the park, listen to live music and dance on the park's Grand Steps. For those who need a refresher course, or want to learn some moves before taking a twirl or two, instructors from Stamford's Latin Moves Dance Studio will be providing free lessons and demonstrations.

"It's a great opportunity to listen to live music and go dancing, too," said Selkowitz, who was among the 90 or so people who came out for the first one in July. "Our goal is to get people in the park."

Instructors are lined up and ready to go for the weekend event, said Latin Moves Dance Studio's Sybilla Mason.

"It's all about engaging the crowd and having some fun," said Mason, who also is a dancer.

In addition to swing, she said they might share a few steps of the salsa and hustle.

"I really hope people come out and try it," she said. "The lessons are very basic, beginner lessons that anyone can do."

Mason said the studio, which is owned by her husband, Lou Lopez, previously was located across from the park. It has since moved to West Main Street, but she said she hopes the park becomes a popular place where people congregate, enjoy activities and, of course, dance.

"It's a great space," she said. "And we are always up for doing anything involved in the joy of dance."

Mason said some students will be out there, too, ready to help. She also is looking forward to the live music that will accompany the dancers.

Selkowitz said the event is inspired by New York City's Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing, which presents 15 nights of outdoor dance programs. They begin with a lesson and then dancing and live music runs the rest of the night, though the Stamford one has the benefit of being free.

From what Selkowitz saw during the July event in Stamford, it appeared participants (single dancers are welcome) were indeed in the swing of things and enjoying the evening. He said he hopes even more turn out for the next one.

"It's an enjoyable, non-intimidating free evening," he said, adding that one can also opt to picnic in the park or head to one of the nearby restaurants for dinner.

Mason said for some, it may become a simple matter of dancing the night away. For others, it may prompt them to get more involved in dance, whether it be lessons or attending similar events.

"It's about getting people interested in the music, the scenery and the other people dancing," she said. "That is sometimes all it takes to get someone interested in the world of dance."